The Lee Clinic is the premier clinic in Northern Virginia for natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Hormonal decline is a major driver of the aging process. BHRT brings the hormonal levels back into balance. William Lee, MD became interested in bioidentical hormones in the early 1990s when women would come in and say that they were ‘not themselves’. They had been to several doctors and had been given synthetic hormones, anti-depressants, sleeping pills, and/or a pat on the head. Intuitively these women knew that it was a hormonal problem. At that time Anti-Aging Medicine was just beginning and the more he read about it, the more sense it made. As he went to conferences and then applied its principles to his practice the more convinced he became. It was the most powerful and rewarding treatment that he did in his practice. He then had the pleasure of training his daughter, Dr. Megan Lee, DO, into the physician she is today and continuing on his legacy.
Key hormones for WOMEN and the effects of their imbalance
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- DHEA
- Testosterone
A decrease in or imbalance of the above hormones can result in:
- premenstrual symptoms
- menstrual problems and irregularity
- infertility
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- low sex drive
- polycystic ovarian syndrome
- fibroids or ovarian cysts
- endometriosis
- weight gain
- mood swings
- memory loss
- insomnia
- depression
- fatigue
- hair loss
- acne
A woman's hormones can go out of balance for a number of reasons: stress, aging, thyroid dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, medications, to name a few. We are now outliving our reproductive timeline, and for many, living a third of our life without hormones in menopause. Many shy away from hormone replacement therapy because of the concerns of cancer and heart disease. It is important to understand that the timing, route and type of hormone matters. When hormone replacement therapy is done correctly, research shows that there is a reduction in heart disease, better bone mass, brain health and better quality of life overall.
Key hormones for MEN and the effects of their imbalance
- Testosterone
- Estradiol
- DHEA
Men experience a gradual decrease in hormones with age, approximately 2% a year beginning after the age of 25. A decrease in or imbalance of the above hormones can result in:
- decreased sex drive or performance
- loss of muscle mass
- depression (men over 50 have a 3x higher rate of depression than younger men)
- hair loss
- fatigue
- urinary problems
- memory loss
- sleep disorders
- weight gain
- cardiac perfusion
- decrease in linear thinking
- reduced hand-eye coordination
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy restores hormonal balance and is personalized to each patient
Hormones are vital and when they are low or out of balance, they can have adverse effects on our health. A clinical evaluation, understanding your signs and symptoms paired with laboratory testing allows us to fine tune each patient's hormones. Repeat testing once started, allows us to stay within ideal ranges, while still making sure we resolve current symptoms.
What type of hormones do you use in your practice?
In our office we use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. For example, we use estradiol & progesterone in women instead of conjugated equine estrogens (premarin) or progestins (synthetic progesterone). These are similar to your hormones, which has shown better safety and efficacy in treatments when in the right candidate.
How do we know which of my hormones are out of balance?
Testing at different times during your cycle and through symptoms, we can fairly quickly find what areas need to be addressed.
Are the hormone treatments tailored to me specifically?
Yes. Based on your test results, we decide what dose to start with and increase as tolerated or until symptom resolution.
Where can I learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and hormone imbalance in general?
- The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver MD
- Natural Hormonal Balance for Women, by Uzzi Reiss M.D.
How can I get started with BHRT?
The Lee Clinic has been helping patients feel like themselves again for over 40 years. Simply call The Lee Clinic at 540-542-1700 to schedule an introductory appointment today or send us your information, and we'll get back to you shortly.